Improving hydrothermal carbonization by using poly(ionic liquid)s.

Pores for thought: Porous nitrogen-doped carbon materials (HTC Carbon with PILs) composed of spherical nanoparticles, and also those with Au-Pd core-shell nanoparticles embedded (Au-Pd@N-Carbon) were synthesized. These materials can be prepared from sugars by hydrothermal carbonization (160-200 °C) in the presence of poly(ionic liquid)s (PILs), which act as a stabilizer, pore-generating agent, and nitrogen source.